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Packers vs. Vikings Q&A: Evaluating John DeFilippo as a head-coaching candidate

Ted Glover of SB Nation’s Minnesota Vikings blog Daily Norseman answers our questions about John DeFilippo’s credentials as a head-coaching candidate.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings-Training Camp Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers can either pump new life into their season or effectively end it when they take on the Minnesota Vikings. The two teams faced off in Week 2, a game which resulted in an overtime tie and set up this week’s do-or-die contest.

With the rematch holding such importance to both teams, we have expanded our weekly Q&A exchange to dive into Sunday’s game in greater detail. Ted Glover of the Daily Norseman kindly answers our questions and provided insight into the Vikings’ strengths and weaknesses.

APC: John DeFilippo has come up as a candidate for any number of expected head-coaching vacancies this offseason. What does DeFilippo and his offense offer to perspective teams?

/carny barker voice

Hello friends, step right up, step right up! Do YOU like a one dimensional offense? Do YOU like predictable play calling? Howz about your running back stuffed for no gain between the guards with no runs to the perimeter? Then step right up, young man, because do I have deal for you!

/end carny barker voice

Fans are souring on DeFilippo, if you can’t tell. Maybe it’s because of the limitations on the o-line, maybe it’s on orders from a defensive minded head coach to not open it up; I don’t know. I do know that it’s a really good offense off their first 10-15 scripted plays, then they go way conservative in terms of stretching the field, then they’re forced to open up the playbook late when they’re behind and playing catch up. If they do get the lead, they have issues sustaining drives and killing the clock, and it puts pressure on the defense to close it out.

If you go back to the week two tie at Lambeau, that’s been pretty much the offense all year in a nutshell, only it just hasn’t been as explosive as it was in that crazy fourth quarter comeback.

Is that head coaching material? You tell me.

We’d like to thank Ted for providing insight into the Packers’ upcoming opponent. Acme Packing Company will publish the rest of the Q&A exchange over the course of the week. Make sure to also check out all the Daily Norseman’s Vikings coverage leading up to Sunday’s tilt.